Financial Independence

The Road to Financial Independence

Posted on by Kipp

Road

I have had a vague idea of when I would become financially independent.  Somewhere between age 46-50 was the general idea.  I can’t say when it will happen for certain, circumstances change, inflation happens, or life events.  But I can say if everything cost wise and lifestyle wise were to move in the same direction as where I am today, that I know when I can retire.  The good news is I am a bit of an optimist and I hope I can create a larger spread in savings, paying off debt, and make a little more income than inflation.  Who knows, if this blog starts to make a little money a couple years into the journey that is all money that will speed up this process.

After reading a detailed post from Big Guy Money on his journey to financial independence I thought maybe I should share my thoughts on the time frame for my journey here. So this post will kind of give you an idea of where I am going now and how I plan to get there.  Kind of like a travel guide subject to changes due to unforeseen circumstances. Continue reading →

Valuing Your Time

Posted on by Kipp

Time-MoneyRecently I mentioned that life is short and we only live once.  In my line of thinking, this means that the time that I have remaining on this earth is valuable and  I think everyone on the path of financial independence values their time highly.  Even those who aren’t working towards financial independence value their time highly by seeking out the highest paid job available.  But did you know that a single person, whether knowingly or not, values their own time multiple ways?  I believe there are four main ways that we each spend are own time. Continue reading →

Life Is Short – You Only Live Once

Posted on by Kipp

I Fancy-Caram feeling a bit sentimental this evening.  My dad earlier today had “the talk”.  And no, not the one about a guy liking a girl and how babies are made, the talk about the end.  As in what he would like to happen if he were to die.  You see, tomorrow he is going in for a stent operation, a procedure that my Grandmother (his mom), did not survive some 15 or so years ago.

All of this makes me just think about how life is short, that we need to seek the most fulfilling path that we can now.  But the difference lies in trying to find what makes us truly happy.  Will a mountain of possessions, new cars, fancy clothes, or a house make me more happy?  Or would spending more time with our loved ones while we are all still here?

Life is more than items.  Life is more than exotic trips.  More than ever, I realize life is about who you spend it with, not what you spend it on. Continue reading →

So I Won The Lottery

Posted on by Kipp

LOTTO

No, the lotto ticket in the picture is not a winner.  This is one of the reasons I usually DON’T carry cash, because I do stupid things with it.

The lotto I am referring to is the the lotto of life.  I was born in a first-world country, where many people and the government are concerned with helping your basic needs of food and shelter.  There are schools, roads, and other infrastructure where if I want to go to the other side of the country, I can do some without some crazy off road 4×4 truck.  I don’t have to worry about some militia causing a road block and killing me for going past their bridge.  This country provides security and a variety of free things to do.  Free parks, libraries, beaches, trails, and local events. Continue reading →

Introduction – The Beginning of a Journey

Posted on by Kipp
Road

A photo from when we were driving on our honeymoon.

When I had started my first full-time job out of college in 2011, I felt miserable.  I did not like my job and I felt trapped with what I had considered a poor starting wage with few options to move as my wife was on her final two years at college.  The job itself was related to collections on taxes.  To be honest, I did not go to college to be in collections.  I wanted something more.  I would say that I even became mildly depressed as this feeling of being trapped grew.  Because of my sour mood and poor habits, my weight had increased substantially.  I am only 5′ 7″ and being 225 pounds is not an ideal weight for someone in their mid-twenties.  My wife and I were eating out constantly our money seemed to barely stay afloat.  Something had to change.
Continue reading →